Open source athletes

Authors

  • Stefan Görling

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v12i4.1770

Abstract

The open source development model has often been treated by academic research as a new and unique model of production, fundamentally differing from previous known and accepted economic models. This paper explores a possible metaphor between open source and athletics as a way to increase our understanding of the open source phenomenon. Open source development has a great similarity of amateur and professional athletics. Properties such as the importance of a community, sportsmanship and fair play are important in both areas. By comparing open source developers (OSD) with athletes, we see that many commonly regarded unique features of OSD may already be existent in other parts of our economy. A greater understanding and previous research of business models, coaching and motivation in athletics might therefore provide useful models of explanation in the field of open source research as well.

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Published

2007-04-02

How to Cite

Görling, S. (2007). Open source athletes. First Monday, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v12i4.1770